SQL Server 2008 and simplified scripting through PowerShell
Have you ever seen or used the PowerShell?
If so have you worked on PowerShell within SQL Server 2008, it has 2 kinds of snap-ins that are called as Powershell Provider and set of Cmdlets. The provider will enables the simple navigation mechanism similar to file system paths, within that associated to SQL management object model and nodes are based on object model classes. Then the cmdlets which consists the commands used in PowerShell scripts to perform the action, similar to running a SQLCMD script with TSQL or XQuery statements. I can bet if you are UNIX user or admin then you wll definetly like the way it works and same with usual MSDOS based familiar commands.
It is not with SQL Server integration alone, you can also Download Windows PowerShell 1.0 or even evaluated as a part of Windows Server 2008 operating system and not only you can even Download Windows PowerShell Scripts to get better practice on the scripting. One of the Microsoft operating system page refers that :
Windows PowerShell 1.0 RTW currently supports Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. Windows PowerShell can be downloaded from Microsoft's Download Center for all operating systems except for Windows Server 2008 where it is available as an optional component on the installation disk or via Server Manager. The .NET Framework 2.0 is required in order to install Windows PowerShell. Remember to download the Windows PowerShell Documentation Pack that includes a Getting Started Guide, Quick Reference chart and a 100+ page Windows PowerShell primer.
I'm aware of PowerShell support within SQL Server 2008 and started to work with since February 2008 CTP release, as it was there since Nov2007 CTP. To get more out of it you start practising the scripting that will give you flexibility and new hieghts of scripting. The following are my favourite and preferred blogs that can get you more information on the subject matter:
SQL Server 2008 Management Improvements – SQL Server Provider for PowerShell (Part 1)
SQL Server 2008 Management Improvements – SQL Server Provider for PowerShell (Part 2)
SQL Server 2008 Management Improvements – SQL Server Provider for PowerShell (Part 3)
Bob Beauchemin's Blog - http://www.sqlskills.com/blogs/bobb
Running SQL Server PowerShell
Windows PowerShell
PowerShell CookBook